| Geneva Study Bible My {1} brethren, have not the faith of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Lord of {a} glory, with respect of persons. (1) The first: charity which proceeds from a true faith, cannot exist with the respecting of people: which he proves plainly by using the example of those who, while having reproach or disdain for the poor, honour the rich. (a) For if we knew what Christ's glory is, and esteemed it as we should, there would not be the respecting of people that there is. People's New Testament 2:1 Faith and Works SUMMARY OF JAMES 2: Respect of Persons. The Royal Law. He Who Keeps the Law Must Offend in Nothing. Faith Not a Living Faith If Alone. Its Life Must Be Shown by Its Fruits. It Is Perfected by Obedience. The Lesson of Abraham's Faith. Have not the faith of our Lord. The Gospel, the Christian profession. With respect of persons. God is no respecter of persons (Ac 10:34), nor should Christians be. God respects character, not dress, or wealth, or earthly rank. Wesley's Notes 2:1 My brethren - The equality of Christians, intimated by this name, is the ground of the admonition. Hold not the faith of our common Lord, the Lord of glory - Of which glory all who believe in him partake. With respect of persons - That is, honour none merely for being rich; despise none merely for being poor. Scofield Reference Notes Margin the Lord of glory the Glory, i.e. in the sense of Heb 1:3 as taking the place of the shekinah. Margin with respect In the presence of Christ the Glory, earthly distinctions disappear. Jamieson-Fausset-Brown Bible Commentary CHAPTER 2 Jas 2:1-26. The Sin of Respect of Persons: Dead, Unworking Faith Saves No Man. James illustrates "the perfect law of liberty" (Jas 1:25) in one particular instance of a sin against it, concluding with a reference again to that law (Jas 2:12, 13). 1. brethren-The equality of all Christians as "brethren," forms the groundwork of the admonition. the faith of . Christ-that is, the Christian faith. James grounds Christian practice on Christian faith. the Lord of glory-So 1Co 2:8. As all believers, alike rich and poor, derive all their glory from their union with Him, "the Lord of glory," not from external advantages of worldly fortune, the sin in question is peculiarly inconsistent with His "faith." Bengel, making no ellipsis of "the Lord," explains "glory" as in apposition with Christ who is THE GLORY (Lu 2:32); the true Shekinah glory of the temple (Ro 9:4). English Version is simpler. The glory of Christ resting on the poor believer should make him be regarded as highly by "brethren" as his richer brother; nay, more so, if the poor believer has more of Christ's spirit than the rich brother. with respect of persons-literally, "in respectings of persons"; "in" the practice of partial preferences of persons in various ways and on various occasions. Matthew Henry's Concise Commentary 2:1-13 Those who profess faith in Christ as the Lord of glory, must not respect persons on account of mere outward circumstances and appearances, in a manner not agreeing with their profession of being disciples of the lowly Jesus. St. James does not here encourage rudeness or disorder: civil respect must be paid; but never such as to influence the proceedings of Christians in disposing of the offices of the church of Christ, or in passing the censures of the church, or in any matter of religion. Questioning ourselves is of great use in every part of the holy life. Let us be more frequent in this, and in every thing take occasion to discourse with our souls. As places of worship cannot be built or maintained without expense, it may be proper that those who contribute thereto should be accommodated accordingly; but were all persons more spiritually-minded, the poor would be treated with more attention that usually is the case in worshipping congregations. A lowly state is most favourable for inward peace and for growth in holiness. God would give to all believers riches and honours of this world, if these would do them good, seeing that he has chosen them to be rich in faith, and made them heirs of his kingdom, which he promised to bestow on all who love him. Consider how often riches lead to vice and mischief, and what great reproaches are thrown upon God and religion, by men of wealth, power, and worldly greatness; and it will make this sin appear very sinful and foolish. The Scripture gives as a law, to love our neighbour as ourselves. This law is a royal law, it comes from the King of kings; and if Christians act unjustly, they are convicted by the law as transgressors. To think that our good deeds will atone for our bad deeds, plainly puts us upon looking for another atonement. According to the covenant of works, one breach of any one command brings a man under condemnation, from which no obedience, past, present, or future, can deliver him. This shows us the happiness of those that are in Christ. We may serve him without slavish fear. God's restraints are not a bondage, but our own corruptions are so. The doom passed upon impenitent sinners at last, will be judgment without mercy. But God deems it his glory and joy, to pardon and bless those who might justly be condemned at his tribunal; and his grace teaches those who partake of his mercy, to copy it in their conduct. | 
